Holmes: Chris Walsh: guided by a belief in fairness and caring

Saturday

May 5, 2018 at 2:18 AMMay 11, 2018 at 4:12 PM

Rick Holmes Opinions/Mass. Political Editor @HolmesAndCo

I was new to town, having just taken over as Framingham bureau chief, when Chris Walsh called to introduce himself and offer to show me around. I agreed, and we spent a pleasant afternoon driving around town. Chris, a professional architect and amateur historian, showed me buildings that had thankfully been preserved – like the historic Jonathan Maynard house where he lived – and scars that had been left by the decisions of politicians, like the trisection of Framingham Centre by the Mass. Pike and Rte. 9.

Chris wasn’t a politician back then, but he had a political bent and a ‘60s sensibility. He had recently been involved in a bit of guerilla politics, planting anonymous “Save Our Neighborhood” signs around Pleasant Street in an effort to stop developers from ruining the place.

His methods became more conventional over time, especially after he was elected state representative, a humbling office for any idealist. But he held on to an impish enjoyment of political combat. He didn’t always win, but he kept smiling, and he stayed on good terms with people even when they were on the other side of the political divide. In his first race for state rep, I endorsed his opponent in the Democratic primary on the editorial page of the MetroWest Daily News. He gently reminded me of that from time to time, but always with good humor. Like the best small-town politicians, Chris knew that healthy, respectful relationships among neighbors and friends transcended any differences over specific issues.

Chris brought that same attitude to life’s deeper challenges. When Alzheimer’s struck his father, Chris brought him into his home, rearranged his life around his dad’s care – and worked on Beacon Hill for legislation to help others in similar situations take better care of their family members. When cancer came after him, Chris took the same positive attitude, sharing his treatments with friends and constituents on social media. He lost his hair, but he never lost his smile.

We lost Chris Walsh this week, and the world is a sadder place for it. He loved Framingham and the region he served. His liberal values – playing fair, taking care of those left behind, giving everyone a say, the capacity of government to do good – guided him every day. He could be as cynical as anyone about politics, but believed deeply in public service. He was a good man and a good friend, and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Rick Homes was the Daily News' opinion page editor until his retirement last year. His regular weekly columns appear in the Daily News and other GateHouse Media newspapers and websites across the U.S.